Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-12-22
VOL. 81.

from his prayer entirely, ''rhe mean old
thing" he muttered angrily. 'Td like Il
lick him."
'Hush, dears," she said, gently, "father
doesn't mean to be unkiud,
"What does he do ii for, then ~ de
maaded the boy, and the mothers lips were
shat, for she had no adequate reply for such
a pertinent question.
All this was done in whispers, and IL
miliar voice broke in upon the conversation
at this iuncture "Going 10 stay in there
all night Jane >" And hastily tucking
them into their beds, with loving kisses on
:he little grieved lips she left them hurricd
ly 10 the gentle comforter, sleep, which sell
dom refuses 10 come IL healthy childhood
This was two weeks before Christmas and
week went by, and Mrs. ReNford saw nt
possible way 10 fulfill the hope she had
cherished of making il a pleasant day toi
the children. She could get up good din
aer. Mr.. Rextor.l was fond of good din
ners himself, hut with his stern face at I'll,
table, the children would be obliged 10 sill
like dummies, and eat in selpulchral silence
for the father was a firm believer in the
doctrine that children should be seen, no'
heard, ," and allowed no frivolous chatter
ing ut meal-time.
She had been putting away SurreptitiouS
balls of butter and dozens of eggs, i'll the
hope of being able 10 smuggle few little
trities quietly into their stockings, but heI
heart was heavy with Il sense fhcrinahiity
to make the holiday such 4 one rs she would
like.
"Jane," said Mr. Rexford, coming in from
the village with an envelop e i'll his hand,
II don't know what ever You'll do, but I'll
have to leave ye for while.
"What is il, Mr. Rexfori p" she asked in
surprise it was very seldom either duty or
pleasure took him from home.
"Why Johns dead, an they telegraDheti
me TO come and tend the funeral, an |
s'pose it's my dooty TO GO"
'Of course it is, Joseph" replied the
wife, "and I'll get along all right. Billy
Grant will come over aud do the chores.
bOuu WIS MI lNtAlulh bAbaiSAs sAhtthSA
branch of The Rexford family tree, which.
though not rs gnarled and knotty rs Joseph
himself still bore enough resemblance 10
prove their relationship beyond doubt.
There has been as much of repreSSed
and undemonstrative affection between
them rs could be expected, and this COM
bined with sense of duty procured his alb
Sc nee from home at this opportune moment
for the children.
Such an event had only occurred once or
twice in their life time before oases in the
dreary desert of their experience, which
were looked back with delight.
"How long shall you be gone, Mr.. Rex
ford p" asked the wife. She could not
mourn for the brother-in-law whom she had
never seen but once, and whose attitude
then had not been such as 10 inspire atfec-
ton, and faint hope was springing up in
her heart that for once the children could
have holiday worthy of the name.
''Ten days anyhow, mebbe two weeks, he
answered ''The widder'll expect me TO set
tie up his affairs more or less"
Ted looked at Nan with 4 grimance of un-
utterable delight if the father had seen it,
it is doubtful whether duty even could have
urged him from home, certainly not with
ont administering spanking all around.
'Get my things ready rs soon as you can"
he resumed, "for want to catch the three
o'clock train, sure, and you, Ted, get the
hoss harnessed so'st to take me to the de-
pot
"Yess'r," replied Ted no danger but
that Ted would do his share, and be on time
too.
Nan was on hand, like a Jack-iu-the-boX,
to spring at every call, and bring the soap
and the towel, the blacking-brush and whisk
broom, for Joseph Rexford loved to be
w.ited on, and his toilet for journey long
or short, was the signal for a series of GYM
nastics participated in by the whole family.
Halfpast two came, and Doll WAS ut the
door, and Ted, with n very unbecoming
shade of happiness on his countenance, held
the reins
"You'll want some money, l s'pose ~
said Mr.. Rexford, graciously, for him, as he
drew on his overcoat. "There's five dollars"
and he passed the precious morsel out from
a roll of greenbacks, gingerly he was not
a poor man by any means, and could have
given her twenty-five just as easily.
eyes, Joseph" she replied meekly, as she
tucked away the bill she did not intend he
should ever see it again, or an exhaustive
report of the uses made of it. either.
"Wall, goodbye, Jane" Che drew on his
Cloves 'don't let the young ones run over
you while I'm gone.''
'No, Joseph" she replied demurely, with
an inward smile.
He went out there was no silly demon
stration of affection at parting. A kiss from
those stern lips would have been an aston
ishment that the family would not have re-
covered from in week, and, getting into the
waiting sleigh, Old Doll moved away.
Nan turned a somersault she was a fine,
loving child, and would have been as happy
as lark, under favorable circumstances
"Oh, goody, goody, goody - she ex-
claimed, in glad soliloquy.
"Hush, Nannie," said the mother re-
provingly, though in her secret heart she
could not blame the child for the ebulition.
Ted returned in due time, and the de
parture was an assured thing, and the boy
already held up his head with an accession
of self-respect, rs he took his place as man
of the house. One week was only a short
time to plan in, but judicious effort can ac-
complish much in even weeks time, and
Mrs. Rexford's plans were. chiefly in the line
of merry-making, such one as they had
never been allowed to have.
Her first move was letter to sister liv
ing twenty miles away, with an invitation
to spend Christmas at her home.
A visit from Aunt Nan was n rare treat
to the children at any time, one which they